The Tasmanian Bar

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The Tasmanian Bar

Tasmania's peak body for specialist legal advocacy.

27/06/2026

AI LAWYER: In an apparent first, an AI-based law firm with no human oversight has won a case in an English court - albeit with the advocacy of a human barrister.

Garfield AI, the UK’s first regulated AI law firm, was entirely responsible for preparing the case, drafting documents, preparing witness statements, and ultimately instructing a barrister to advocate in court.

Barrister Dominic Li praised the work of the AI lawyer in preparing the case, in which a freelance HR consultant was attempting to recover an unpaid invoice. However, Mr Li added that “the advocacy at trial remained essential and a fundamentally human exercise.”

Read more on this story at The Guardian: https://bit.ly/4gadMxX

26/06/2026

DISCIPLINARY APPEALS: Earlier this year, the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Tasmania made an important decision in Wang v Sheehy, concerning the correct operation of appeals on decisions of the Legal Profession Disciplinary Tribunal.

Tasmanian Bar member Alex Kendall has written an informative paper on the decision, exploring the Court’s reasoning, the practical consequences for practitioners, and law reform.

You can read Alex’s paper, ‘Wang v Sheehy: Appealing a Decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal’, via the Law Society of Tasmania’s Law Letter Hub.
🔗: https://bit.ly/43TZDO4

24/05/2026

SUPPORTED PRACTICE: Barristers have a responsibility to be independent, which means that each must also be a self-employed solo practitioner - they do not work for anyone, nor are they permitted to have other lawyers working for them.

Chambers are a way for barristers to maintain their independent practice while also sharing premises, support services and utilities. Each barrister maintains their own office within the chambers, with a clerk running the business side of their collective practices. The clerk manages barristers’ commitments, handles enquiries from solicitors, and oversees administration.

Usually located near to courts, chambers allow barristers to focus on their advocacy work while being supported in the management of their practice.

Learn more about our profession on our website: tasbar.com.au

22/05/2026

Tasmanian Bar member Sarah Wright delivered her insightful presentation, “Things you may not know about Bruce Lehrmann’s Misguided Defamation Claim and What to Believe - Demeanour versus Documents” on Thursday at Derwent & Tamar Chambers.

The CPD event took a fresh view of the misguided trial, focusing on Lehrmann’s earlier harassment before the attack, and the process to terminate his employment. The session prompted discussion of the assessment of lay witness evidence, ending with an analysis of issues around proving sexual harassment in court.

Thank you, Sarah, for such an informative and thought-provoking session.

You can find Sarah and other Tasmanian Bar members on our website: tasbar.com.au

21/04/2026

BAR COUNCIL: The Annual General Meeting for the Tasmanian Bar was held on March 27th at Derwent & Tamar Chambers in Hobart. Thank you to all who participated, whether in person or by proxy.

The following appointments were made for the Tasmanian Bar Council for 2026-27:

President: Mary Anne Ryan
Vice President: Patrick O’Halloran
Secretary and Treasurer: Alex Kendall

Bar Council Members:
- Bruce McTaggart KC
- Mark Rapley SC
- Catherine Scott
- Cameron Scott
- Scott Royston

We thank all of the appointees for their commitment, and welcome new members Alex, Bruce, Mark and Catherine.
We also express our gratitude to the outgoing Secretary and Treasurer Jennifer O’Farrell, and outgoing Council members Tom Cox SC, Regina Weiss and Matthew Verney SC.

19/03/2026

COURT GUIDANCE: After seeing a significant rise in the number of matters commenced by litigants in person, the Federal Court of Australia has published the Litigants in Person Practice Note to provide guidance for those conducting a proceeding without a lawyer.

Developed in consultation with a range of external bodies, the Practice Note contains important information to support unrepresented litigants, outlining their obligations and expectations, and possible avenues of legal support available to them.

You can read the Litigants in Person Practice Note on the Federal Court’s website: https://bit.ly/3Nx4JuO

18/03/2026

CLIMATE WEBINAR: The International Bar Association’s Bar Issues Commission is offering a webinar to mark the launch of its Climate Change Working Group, created to support bar associations to engage on climate change issues and strengthen climate competence across the profession.
The session will feature bar association leaders from around the world, highlighting the activities of the Working Group and the climate initiatives of bar associations across the globe.

The free webinar will take place on March 24th at 12:00 GMT / 11pm Hobart time.
For more information and to register for the event, visit the IBA’s website: https://bit.ly/40wp1aT

08/01/2026

INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY: Barristers provide completely independent advice, and being a step removed from the client, offer a new perspective on the case.
Barristers don’t employ other lawyers and aren’t influenced by external interests, which ensures a fresh, objective view of every case.
‘Rule 35. Duty to the Client’ emphasises a barrister’s duty to promote and protect a client’s best interests fearlessly and lawfully. This independence is central to the integrity of the justice system.
Find out more about the role and responsibilities of barristers at tasbar.com.au

06/01/2026

ABOUT US: The Tasmanian Bar is Australia’s youngest Bar Association, formed in 1996 and dedicated to supporting specialist advocacy across the state.
Tasmania has a fused legal profession, which means that lawyers can work as both barristers and solicitors. Members of the Tasmanian Bar are lawyers who have undertaken to operate solely as barristers, and are required to comply with the Uniform Barristers Rules.
We contribute to policy, law reform and ongoing professional standards while educating both the profession and the community. The Barristers Rules are currently being reviewed and The Tasmanian Bar is preparing a draft submission to the Attorney-General outlining the amendments we consider appropriate to be made in 2026. You can learn more about the Bar’s role and membership at tasbar.com.au

31/12/2025

NEW YEAR: As we welcome 2026, the Tasmanian Bar acknowledges the ongoing commitment of barristers who contribute to a fair and functional justice system. The year ahead presents new opportunities for advocacy, education and strengthening public understanding of the Bar’s role in Tasmania’s legal landscape. We look forward to supporting our members and their work throughout 2026, in whatever area of law that may be.
Learn more about our initiatives at tasbar.com.au

Address

119 Hampden Road
Battery Point, TAS
7004

Website

https://tasbar.com.au/

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